Spring Planting and Figures on Friday #3

Spring Planting, 7 x 5, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Click to purchase - $120 + $18 s/h

One of my goals with these figurative studies is to see ONLY the big shapes. I'm trying not to get caught up in details, which is such a huge temptation when painting people. Instead I'm trying focus on where the shadows and light are interacting, and how they are defining form. (Hmmmmm... just like in landscape, I am looking for planes of light and dark, and comparing, comparing, comparing.) ;)

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Join me at my last workshop of the year! Three day Art Immersion!

Register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air, Nov 4-6, 2021, 9am - 4pm, $495

St. Simons Island, GA, Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Leaning In and Process Shots!

 

Leaning In, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available - Click for Info

This piece was one of my workshop demos from this past spring. We gathered on Lake Austin on a bit of an overcast day, and this leaning tree drew me in. I loved the way it was curtsying into the lake and how the reflections continued that graceful dipping movement.

The following photos show how this painting came together... 

Block-in using dark neutral mix of ultramarine and burnt sienna.

Added color to upright planes, adjusting value as each recedes into distance.

Added sky plane and ground plane (including water which is ground plane.)

Add final details and spectral highlights at the very end.

Just getting started with block-in... using a light and loose touch.

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Join me at my last workshop of the year! Three day Art Immersion!

Register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air, Nov 4-6, 2021, 9am - 4pm, $495

St. Simons Island, GA, Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Dog Walker - Figures on Friday #2

Dog Walker, 7 x 5, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Click to purchase $120 + $18 s/h

I have been collecting pictures of people for years. And for years, I have told myself, "one day, I will do something with these images." Well, it's fun to finally get around to it. Again, if you missed my intro post, I am tackling figures, one Friday at a time. I'm calling it "Figures on Friday". The goal is to get more comfortable with gestures and proportions, so that I have an easier time popping figures into plein air sketches.... AND to keep them loose and suggestive. (This man and his best friend were just minding their own business. They have no idea I even took their picture.) 

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Join me at my last workshop of the year! 

Register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air, Nov 4-6, 2021, 9am - 4pm, $495

St. Simons Island, GA, Anderson Fine Art Gallery

 

Precious Day

Precious Day, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

NFS

There are some days we wish could last forever. This past Saturday would be one of those. Two dear artist friends invited our painting group to paint at their lakeside home, and to help them close up their art studio before they move away. It was a wonderful time... a celebration of who they are and their creativity in that magical place, a reunion of new and old friends, a passing of the torch as supplies were entrusted into new hands, and a last painting hurrah! 

What an honor to be included in this bittersweet farewell! Precious day, and precious heart memories. Thank you, Charles and Carole - Love you both!

Happy, happy!

Casita Studio in the woods. 

(Many thanks to Laura Barrow for photos!)

One of many gorgeous views of Lake Travis and "Sometimes Island".

(Sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. Depends on the rain.)

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Join me at my last workshop of the year! 

Register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air, Nov 4-6, 2021, 9am - 4pm, $495

St. Simons Island, GA, Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Pure Joy and Figures on Friday #1

Pure Joy, 6x8, oil on panel, L.Daniel © 2021

NFS

I am starting a new series called "Figures On Friday" and I would love for you to follow along! 

The idea is to force myself to practice adding figures into the landscape. And practice is the key word - always a requirement if I want to see growth. Why am I making a series out of it?? Well, it's my way of holding myself accountable. This weekly goal (one post a week) will help keep me on track with my larger desire for improvement in this area. Wish me luck, friends!

This first one depicts my dear nephew when he was a child, and his trademark exuberance! 

Join me at my last workshop of the year! Register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air, Nov 4-6, 2021, 9am - 4pm, $495

St. Simons Island, GA, Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Dry Dock Sparkle and an upcoming Workshop!

Dry Dock Sparkle, 16 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel ©2021

Available

When I spotted this boat up on its stand, I loved how the light was hitting it and all the shapes around it. But I had two obstacles: it was behind a chain-link fence, and I forgot my easel's tripod. What to do? Too far away to go back for the tripod, and the light would change anyway if I tried. Well, you know what they say about necessity is the mother of invention... One problem solved the other... I ended up sitting on the ground with my easel leaning against the fence (which I could easily see through). AND, I really loved the angle I had of the underbelly of the boat! It all worked out... a good lesson in not giving up. 

Please join me for my fall workshop at St. Simons Island, on the Georgia coast! (C'mon, c'mon... one last hurrah before the holidays hit!) 

Call to register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air 

Nov 4-6, 2021

9am - 4pm

$495

St. Simons Island, GA

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Summer Flight

Summer Flight, 8x10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available

Oh, the glad freedom of summer! Don't we all look forward to those lazy days? (It's not just the kids.) Here in Texas, school started back up this week and it feels like summer is over.... even though it will be hot for months. There is always something about that first day of school that signals an end, AND a new beginning. I like the new beginning idea better... may it be a good one!!

Join me at a workshop in GA! Click for info:

Nov 3-5, 2021 - Autumn En Plein Air - Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Lagoon Reflections with Process Shots and Workshop Info!

Lagoon Reflections (workshop demo), 8x10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available

Below are process shots of a demo I did for my May workshop in Austin (as mentioned before, I am hopelessly behind in my posting.) My next workshop is coming up in the fall, and will be on St. Simons Island, on the Georgia coast. If you are a painter, please join us! It is always so much fun to meet in person and discover the landscape together!

Click for Workshop Details:

Nov 3-5, 2021 - Autumn En Plein Air - Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Getting started - Block in large shapes and values of main masses.

Mass in Upright Planes (best average value and color).

Mass in Ground Plane (water/reflections in this case) and Sky Plane.

Break up masses with subtle value shifts and save highlights for the very end. 

Workshop fun! Join us for the next one!

Hidden Turn and a Feedburner replacement!

Hidden Turn, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available

This piece is a plein air study from the spring... I was in Georgia after teaching a workshop and found this dramatic tree, in full curtsy mode! What a lovely dance to capture!   

You may have noticed that your email delivery with this post looks a little different today. Here's why... I've been blogging since February 2008, and my emails have always been delivered to my followers by Feedburner. Sadly, Google has announced that they are dropping Feedburner! After much research, I found what I hope will be a great Feedburner Alternative. Today is my first run with it... If you see anything totally off, please be patient. I am having to learn a whole new process.  :)

For my blogger friends out there who are also worried about a Feedburner Replacement , I recommend you take a look at Follow.it. It has more features and options, and I think it's going to work great! 

Bovine Bliss - and an upcoming show!

 

Bovine Bliss, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2021

Available at the Davis Gallery

Flora and Fauna Group Show

Aug 7 - Sept 25, 2021

Opening Reception: Aug 7, 4-7 pm

This has been a crazy and unpredictable year for me, and my posts (or lack there of) have reflected that. I just spent the last four months helping my elderly parents get moved and settled into a senior living community. It was ALL-consuming, and I'm happy to report that they are much closer to my home now, AND that all went well!! YAY!! Hopefully, I will be getting back to a normal cadence soon!

If you are in the Austin area, please join us at the Davis Gallery Group Show opening reception this weekend! Attendance is by reservation only, and will be viewed in small, masked groups. Just to be safe. Click HERE to reserve a spot!

Hoping to see you! 

The Perch and the crazy month of February!

 

The Perch, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available 

What a weird few weeks I have just lived through!!! Had COVID (mild case, all good), came home to broken water heater (wood floors ruined), endured the Texas Snowpocolypse (78 hours without power and survived!) I happy to be back and thinking about art again! :)

So, let me tell you about this painting from St. Simons Island in November... These Wood Storks showed up at my workshop, and I KNEW I had to go back and paint them!!! I just loved their long, pointed beaks and ancient looking bodies! They are known for building nests in trees hanging over or next to water (like a marsh). They also seem to find large dead branches for perching on and keeping watch over their surroundings. I don't think they miss much!

Upcoming workshops:

Click here for registration information.

St. Simons Island, GA - April 8-10

Austin, TX - May 14-15 (full w/wait list)

Marsh's Edge - Demo with Process Shots!

Marsh's Edge, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L.Daniel © 2021

Available

One of my students pointed out that I had never posted the demo from my last workshop on St. Simons Island. Of course, I am HAPPY to oblige! MORE than! And by the way, if you are looking for an "in person" plein air workshop this spring, join me back in Georgia in April (the week after Easter!)

Upcoming workshops:

Click here for registration information.

St. Simons Island, GA - April 8-10

Austin, TX - May 14-15 (full w/wait list)

Compose with Lines and Shapes.

Create an "envelope" to contain shapes using ultramarine and burnt sienna.

Block in dark value pattern of large shapes.

Keep marks loose and expressive. Still using only ultramarine and burnt sienna.

Mass in Upright Planes.

Paint "shadow family" first, using best average value (not highlight value).

Mass in Ground Plane and Sky Plane.

Paint around uprights, "cutting" and "carving in" for details and sky holes.

Final Marks.

Break up large masses by adding "light family" in all the planes, and final highlights.

Mossy Veil

Mossy Veil, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

SOLD

The Low Country is known for its Live Oaks dripping with Spanish Moss. They are huge, and beautiful, and a challenge to paint! In my workshops, we have long conversations about what color that moss is. Why? Because it is ever changing as the light hits from different directions. Sometimes it looks grey or grey-green, and almost blends in with the color and value with the foliage. Other times, like this one, it becomes a yellowy gold because the light is coming through it. Discovery requires observation in real time.

"It just depends" doesn't seem like a good answer, but sometimes that is the ONLY answer!  :)

Upcoming workshops:

St. Simons Island, GA - April 8-10

Austin, TX - May 14-15 (full w/wait list)

Click here for registration information.

Boatyard Shadows

Boatyard Shadows, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available

It's almost always about the light and shadows for me. I absolutely love how light defines objects and the resulting fantastical shadow patterns. With this one, it was the light, the shadows AND that yummy turquoise! As the afternoon progressed, the color of the light kept getting warmer and more orangey (see below... is "orangey" even a word?) It was so much fun to watch... And paint! 

Upcoming workshops:

St. Simons Island, GA - April 8-10

Austin, TX - May 14-15 (full w/wait list)

Click here for registration information.

See what I mean??? Orangey! 

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

SOLD

The St. Simons Island Lighthouse is the subject of books, legends, and many, many paintings! I have personally painted it several times, and felt an itch to give it another go during the holidays! The afternoon light on its circular form was just too pretty to pass up. 

A little history... the Lighthouse was built in 1872 to replace the original one that burned down during the Civil War. It's one of five surviving lighthouse towers on the Georgia coast, and it still protects navigation in the St. Simons Sound. Its beam of light travels as far as 23 miles out to sea! Besides that, it has a beauty and romance that is just so alluring... Never gets old! :)

Upcoming workshops:

St. Simons Island, GA - April 8-10

Austin, TX - May 14-15 (full w/wait list)

Click here for registration information.

Setting Sail and Happy New Year!

Setting Sail, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

SOLD

"I miss your blog posts..." emailed a friend and blog follower yesterday. Her heartfelt concern and not so little nudge hit the mark and got me going. (Friends are like that. Thank you, JM.) I never meant to be away for so long, but time really flies, especially during the holidays. And then it is hard to get back on track. Have you noticed that?

I spent much of November and December on St. Simons Island in Georgia... teaching a workshop, plein air painting, and enjoying family. It was wonderful to have some down time and a wide open schedule, especially after one of the craziest years ever! This is a piece from those final days of 2020. I loved that I was able to be outside, observing and painting, and soaking up all the peace that nature has to offer.

We find ourselves "setting sail" once again, with a brand new year ahead. May it be a great one for us all! So much possibility! 

2021 spring workshop schedule (click for registration details):

April 8-10 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

May14-15 - Austin, Texas

Workshop fun... 

AND... precious family joy!!!

Garden Fire - Final week of show!

Garden Fire, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

Available at the Davis Gallery

This is the LAST WEEK of my solo show at the Davis Gallery! Sadly. It has been so fun to have it up, and to have friends and collectors visit the work. All of your wonderful comments have been SO encouraging. Thank you. I love seeing it altogether on the walls... sigh. The search will continue... of course it will!

EVIDENCE OF THE SEARCH

Davis Gallery, Austin, TX

On display through Thanksgiving!

View Online 

I love these three pieces together. 

Companions for sure (but can be sold separately.)

In the gallery window on opening night...

From A Distance - Demo Process Shots!

 

From a Distance, 8 x 10, Oil, L. Daniel © 2020

Available

Yesterday I had the great privilege of doing a LIVE interview and painting demo with Eric Rhoads, publisher of PleinAir Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur. He has been broadcasting with a different artist every day since the pandemic started... what a gift to artists all over the world! I was interview #224! 

Click HERE to watch interview and demo on YouTube

For my short LIVE demo, I showed my "Block In" technique - how I get started on a painting. I worked from a completed demo piece I had done for my most recent workshop. The images below show where the painting would've ended up if I finished it, AND aprocess shots of how it would have all come together. 

To My Workshop Students: 

As promised, these process shots are also for YOU... a reminder of the steps we took in class!

Block In Sketch

Loose lines define simple shapes for placement of subject matter. Shapes only, NO detail. (Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna)

Block In Values (darks and lights)

Loosely massed in value indicates the light and family side of the upright planes. Notice that the nearer upright planes have darkest darks, while distant uprights begin to lighten and become less defined.

Upright Planes - Shadow Family and Light Family

Mixed color is consistent with block in values and loosely massed in. Notice that distant uprights are cooler, lighter, and have less contrast. The farthest upright is muted, lighter, and leans toward blue.

Ground Plane

The ground plane is much lighter than the upright planes because it is parallel to the sky and light source - the sun. Notice that the ground plane becomes cooler and slightly darker as it moves into the distance. Conversely, the ground plane becomes more vibrant as it moves closer.

Sky Plane

The sky plane recedes by becoming more muted and lighter on the horizon. Space for clouds is left white, to be painted after all the other values and colors are established.

Clouds - Breaking up the Masses - Highlights

After all the large areas are massed in, I break them up with subtle value shifts and highlights. I have learned (the hard way) to make sure all the value planes are all reading correctly before adding these final details! ;)

My palette of mixed colors used in the painting.